Annual Report: Venezuela 2010

Annual Report: Venezuela 2010

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Head of state and governmentHugo Chávez Frías Death penalty abolitionist for all crimes Population28.6 million Life expectancy73.6 years Under-5 mortality (m/f)24/19 per 1,000Adult literacy95.2 per cent

Attacks, harassment and intimidation of those critical of government policies, including journalists and human rights defenders, were widespread. Unfounded charges were brought against those who opposed government policies. More special courts and prosecutor's offices specializing in gender-based violence were established. However, the implementation of the 2007 law to eradicate violence against women remained slow.

Background

In February, the limit on presidential terms was removed, following a referendum.

Social unrest increased; there were nearly twice as many protests between January and August as in the whole of 2008. The protests were sparked by issues such as discontent over labour rights and basic services, including a new education law opposed by the private education sector and the political opposition.

The National Assembly debated the possibility of legal reforms to regulate the use and possession of small arms, including harsher sentences for possession of weapons. According to the National Assembly's Security and Defence Commission, there were between nine and 15 million illegal firearms in circulation.

Reforms to the armed forces in October included provisions allowing the creation of militias.

Ten police officers charged with criminal offences in the context of the 2002 attempted coup against President Chávez were sentenced to up to 30 years' imprisonment in April. They were convicted of homicide and grievous bodily harm against anti-coup protesters amid concerns that not all of those who committed acts of violence in the context of the attempted coup had been brought to justice.

Human rights defenders

Human rights defenders and victims of human rights violations and their relatives seeking justice and redress continued to be attacked, threatened and harassed by the security forces.

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Colombia: Land Claimants Attacked by Armed Men (UA 281/13)

Scores of armed men attacked land claimants in the Afro-descendant and Afro-mestizo community of Pedeguita Mansilla, northern Colombia, days after the community was denied protection measures. They are claiming restitution of their collective lands.